Football Coaching Staff Observes, Instructs and Motivates
3/31/2010 4:23:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - Make no mistake about spring football practice on the banks of "Beautiful Eagle Creek," the Georgia Southern coaching staff sets the tone. While the Eagles are learning the fundamentals of the option offense and a new defensive system, the coaches are instructing, correcting, motivating and congratulating them after great plays.
If the Eagle fans want a good indication of the direction of the football program, look no further than the coaching staff, literally. Watching the GS coaches as they prepare the team, there is an intensity and high level of quality demanded with each detail, each technique, each drill and each practice. Following the standard special teams session, the Eagles got down to business, working on the "mesh," ball security and routes on offense.
The energy is evident on the defensive field as well. The defensive staff has the unenviable task of not only installing a new system, but also attempting to teach the Eagles how to defend against the triple option. Brent Pry and the defensive coaches fly around the field, especially during the team sessions, making immediate corrections or providing positive feedback after a play.
Coach Monken never remains still for long, observing and teaching, moving from the offensive field to defensive field, making adjustments and offering words of encouragement. His point of emphasis at the end of practice today was on the value of the football: the offense needs to hang onto it and the defense needs to try and take it away.
"We are going to coach them hard," said Defensive Coordinator Brent Pry. "They are never going to say we didn't coach the heck out of these kids. We are going to have higher energy. It feeds and those guys are starting to feed a little bit and they are beginning to understand the level we want to play at."
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
The Eagles will practice Thursday, April 1 in full gear at 3:45 p.m. and then have their first scrimmage Saturday at Paulson Stadium. The scrimmage will begin at 9 a.m. and is free and open to all Eagle fans. Next week, Georgia Southern will continue in full pads on the same schedule, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with a second scrimmage on Saturday, April 10th.
SEASON TICKET RENEWALS IN MAIL APRIL 1
Season ticket renewal packages will go in the mail on April 1 to all 2009 football season ticket holders with the option to renew those locations by June 1. For additional information or questions about season tickets, please call Kay Shuman in the Georgia Southern Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-GSU-WINS (478-9467) or (912) GSU-WINS (478-9467). Season ticket holders may renew online at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com by clicking on the "Renew Season Tickets" graphic on the right side of the website, call the ticket office local or toll-free number or stop by the office at 203 Lanier Drive, Statesboro, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
COACHES CLINIC DATE SET
Georgia Southern will hold a spring Coaches Clinic Thursday-Saturday, April 8-10, with coaching sessions and chalk talks with the Eagles staff. For additional information, contact Vic Cabral at (912) 478-5522 or by fax at (912) 478-5059. The Coaches' Clinic brochure and the full schedule of events is available on the GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com website. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required of all coaches. The Coaches Clinic is $40 per individual.
THIRD ANNUAL EFAA REVERSE RAFFLE
The Eagle Football Alumni Association (EFAA) sponsors the third annual $10,000 Reverse Raffle which will be held the night of the Blue-White Spring Game, Saturday, April 17th, from 7-11 p.m., at the Gene Bishop Field House. Reverse Raffle tickets can be purchased from the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation for $100 each and each ticket covers food, beverages for the ticket purchaser and a guest.
One of the highlights of the evening is the live auction featuring sports memorabilia, game day experience packages, hunting and fishing trips with former players, and many more unique items. A silent auction held during the first part of the event includes a variety of Georgia Southern and collegiate football items.
For more information about the event or to purchase tickets for the Reverse Raffle, contact the Georgia Southern University Athletic Foundation at (912) 478-5520.
